Collapsible container



Feb. 22, 1944. s. A. AQUlNO COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1943 INVENTOR Salvatore Albert Again!) ATTORNEYS Feb. 22, 1944. s. A. AQUINO 2,342,623

COLLAPS IBLE CONTAINER Filed May 13, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l4 l4- l4 3 8 I I 8 8 22 3a 9 5b 2 8 ll n 4 4 7 I 7 7 1 7 r Z4 Z4 Z I Z i z i z Z I I l i /z l I L l INVENTOR Salvatore Albert Aquino BY m a +724 ATTORNEYS Feb. 22, 1944. s. A. AQUINO 2,342,623

COLLAPS IBLE CONTAINER Filed May 13, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Salva tore Albert fly uino .25 .1 BY Wfhf ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 22 1944 COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Salvatore Albert Aquino, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to The Hinde 8: Dauch Paper Company, Sandusky, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 13, 1943, Serial No. 486,787

11 Claims. (01. 229-21) This invention relates to a multicom'partment container. It more particularly relates to a type of carton or box that is useful as a confection container and which is provided with a central partition, sides, top and bottom of a single blank of suitable material.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multicompartment carton which is relatively light in weight, strong, andwhich may be assembled with a minimum use of adhesives or other fastening means. 7

It is another object of the present invention to provide a one-piece multicompartment container having top, sides and bottom formed from a single blank or stamping and which may be packed flat for shipment and assembled without the use of adhesives or other fastening means.

It is still another object to provide a multicompartment container of pleasing appearance which may be shipped and stored for use in a flattened condition to conserve space and which may be readily assembled in stable boxlike form without the use of adhesives.

Other objects will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 having the cover of one compartment in the open position; i Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-4 of Fi 1;

' Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. l;

. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a suitable one-piece blank for forming a container embodying the present invention:

blank for forming the container of-Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of parts of a five-sided container embodying the present invention with the side-forming portions of the blank adhered together in polygonal shape; and

Fig. 10 isa perspective view of a four-sided container embodying the present invention.

The containers of the present invention are of the multicompartment type and have four or more sides, all of which may or may not be of equal length, as desired. The preferred containers have at least five sides and the most desirable containers have an even number of sides, such as six or more. The top, a portion of the central partition, and the bottom of each compartment are integral and suitable means is preferably provided for locking or holding the bottom, partition and side members of each compartment in relatively immovable position after the box is assembled, so that an adhesive is not required to form a stable container from the flattened box as shipped and stored.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like parts are indicated by like numerals of reference throughout the several views, and referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the containers embodying the present invention comprise a plurality of relatively flat sides 2, which are joined together in polygonal shape to form a tube of a length corresponding to the height desired for the box. A partition I divides the tube thus formed into two portions and cooperates with bottom and top members in forming two compartments A and B, which may or may not be symmetrical. The compartment A is defined by two or more and preferably an odd number of sides 2, a portion la ofthe partition I, a bottom member to and a top member 5a; compartment B is similarly defined by a plurality of walls 2, a portion 31) of the partition 3, and top and bottom members 4b and 5b, respectively.

The partition 3 is made up of two similar elements 3a and 3b arranged adjacent to each other, with the .cover members and bottom members for each compartment being Joined or hinged to the .tops and bottoms of the respective panels 3a and 31;. These members are joined to or hinged onto the bottom edge portion of a side member 2, which-preferably runs substantially parallel to the partition 3. Thus, in both the box and blank, members forming the sides, bottom, partition wall and the top of each compartment are com nected in series in their respective order.

may be and are preferably formed of a single piece of suitable box or carton material such as,

for example, a paste board or corrugated paper.

To increase the stability of the box after it is shaped, one or more of the side members of each compartment, and preferably each side member 2 which is adjacent the partition 3, carries suitably attached to its lower edge portion, a flap 1, which is preferably integral with the side and foldable relative thereto. The flaps l are pref- They erably integral with the respective side members I and are adapted to be turned inwardly to cooperate with one or more of locking tabs ll. one of which is ioldably carried by or integral with each side edge portion 9 of the partition elements so and 3b, to lock the bottom portion 4 and the partition I firmly in position with respect to the side members 2. Thus, in the container the flaps I overlie the bottoms 4 and a side edge of each flap abuts against a face of the partition 3, the flaps I then act as a means for preventing the bottoms 4 from moving inwardly through the plane defined by the bottom edges of the sides 2.

The locking tabs 8 attached to the partition I are preferably shorter than the height of the partition I by space H, corresponding about to the thickness of the flaps I, so that the locking tabs 8 overlie the flaps i and interlock therewith to hold the flaps 1 against the bottoms 4 and to hold the partition 3 and the bottoms 4 in stable relationship with the sides 2.

The cover members Ia and lb, which are flexibly attached to the respective partition elements In or ib at the upper edge portions thereof, preferably have attached to their side edges suitable tabs l4. The tabs II are adapted to extend into the compartment A and bear against the side members 2, when the cover members 50 and 5b are closed, to cooperate with the sides 2 in confining the compartments A or B. One or more of the side edges 2, and preferably the side member I that is substantially parallel to the partition I, may carry at its upper edge portion thereof a locking flap II. which is adapted to fold inwardly and cooperate with the inner surface of another side 2 to hold one of the tabs ll of the cover members 5 more firmly in closed position. The angle i6 between a side edge I! and the attached edge I! of the locking flap i5 is obtuse so as to form, when bent perpendicular to its attached side 2, a V-shaped slot .20 between an upper edge is of an adjacent side edge 2 and the side edge i1 of the flap IS.

The V-shaped slot 20 has at its apex a smaller width than that of the locking flap II and at its open end a width greater than the thickness of the flap II. It thus permits easy insertion of the tapered side edges Ii of the tabs i4, yet frictionally holds the .tabs l4 adjacent the apex of the slot II. The upper edge portions 22 of the locking tabs 8 and the lower edges 23 of the tabs N are preferably tapered to prevent interference when the cover members in and lb are closed.

It will be seen that the container of the present invention may be made out of a single unitary blank or stamping with only the free edges 24 of the iirstand last sides 2 in the blank fastened together with a small piece of adhesive or tape 28, or other suitable fastening means. The blank of Pig; 5 may. however, be made in two or more pieces with the parts fastened together if desired. l

The container illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that it is a five-sided container, one compartment being formed by the two sides 20, the partition 30 and the bottom and top members 4c and 5c, respectively. The top member 50 is integral with one of the sides 2c and is connected thereto through the partition'portion 3c and the bottom 40. Only one locking tab to need be attached to a side edge of the partition 80 to overlie the flap 10, which bears against the bottom 40 and cooperates therewith in holding the partition portion 30 in stable relationship with respect to one of the sides 20...

The locking nap lie is adapted to fold inwardly and cooperate with the inner surface of the side 2c to which it is not attached to form the vshaped slot 20. which is arranged to receive the side edge portion Me of the tab Ho. The lock- 6 ing flap Ilc thus cooperates with the side la in providing means for frictionally holding the tab Ho and the cover 50 in the closed condition.

A blank suitable for producing the container illustrated in Fig. is similar -to that shown in Fig. 8 except that the portion left of the line iii of Fig. 8 is substituted by another portion similar to that on the right side of the line |li0 of Fig. 8. The blank is symmetrical on either side of the line Ifl-lil. 4

The containers of the present invention are particularly desirable for the packing and marketingof confections. They are assembled rapidly without the need of any adhesive and because of the stiflening action of the partion are exceptionally resistant to smashing by compression.

Thus, they decrease tendency for damage to contents.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous modifications of the construction shown may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention as defiened in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A container comprising at least six relatively flat side members fastened together in polygonal shape, top members and bottom members to cooperate with said side members, a. partition dividing the column enclosed by said side members into two compartments each defined by an odd number of said side members and one of said top and bottom members, said partition comprising two separate panel elements, arranged back to back, each panel having a height of about the height of the side walls and extending between opposite angles formed by said side members, an edge portion of the cover member and an edge portion of the bottom member of each compartment being attached to the top and bottom edges respectively of the panel elements of said partition which forms a wall of the respective compartment, said bottom member of each compartment also being attached at its opposite edge to one 01' said side members at the lower edge portion thereof, whereby the bottom of each compartment is supported both by said partition and by one of said side members.

2. The container of claim 1 having sides, top.

bottom, and partition of each compartment 55 formed of a single unitary piece of material.

' 3. The container of claim 1 having top, bottom and partition panels of both compartments integrally formed from a single unitary piece of suitable carton forming material.

4. A container having at least six sides fastened end to end to form a tube having polygonal cross section. a partition extending between opposite angles of said po ygonal tube dividing said tube into two portions, a cover member and a bottom member for each portion to cooperate with said side members and said partition to form two compartments, said partition comprising at least two panel elements laid in adiacentbackto-back relationship and being substantially the height of said sides, said cover member and said bottom member of each compartment being flexibly carried at the upper and lower edge portions respectively of the panel elements adjacent the respective compartment, one edge of the bottom member of each also being attached to a bottom the sides, 4

edge of a side of the respective compartment which bottom edge is substantially parallel with said partition so that opposite edges of the bottom member of each compartment are respectively carried by a panel of said partition and by a side member, and means for locking said partition elements and said bottom members with respect to said side members.

5. A container having at least six sides fastened end to end to form a tube having polygonal cross section, a partition extending between opposite angles of said polygonal tube dividing said tube into two portions, a cover member and a bottom member for each portion to cooperate with said side members and said partition to form two compartments, said partition comprising at least two panel elements laid in adjacent back-toebaclr relationship and being substantially the height of said sides, said cover member and said bottom member of each compartment being integral with the upper and lower edge portions respectively of the panel elements adjacent the respective compartment, one edge of the bottom member of each also being integral with a bottom edge of a side of the respective compartment which bottom edge is substantially parallel with said partition so that opposite edges of the bottom member of each compartment are respectively carried by a panel of said partition and by a side member, and means for locking said partition elements and said bottom members with respect to said side members.

6. The container of claim 4 in which the cover member of each compartment has attached'to an edge thereof a tab to operate in frictional engagement with said sides, whereby said cover may be maintained in closed condition.

'1. A container having at least six sides fastened end to end to form a tube having polygonal cross section, a partition extending between opposite angles of said polygonal tube dividing said tube into two portions, a cover member and a bottom member for each portion to cooperate with said side members and said partition to form two compartments, said partition comprising at least two panel elements laid in adjacent back-to-back relationship and being substantially the height of said sides, said cover member and said bottom member of each compartment being flexibly carried at the upper and lower edge portions respectively of the panel elements adjacent the respective compartment, one edge of the ibottom member of each also being attached to a bottom edge of a side of the respective compartment which bottom edge is substantially parallel with said partition so that op osite edges of the bottom member of each compartment are respectively carried by a panel of said partition and by a side member, a flap carried at the lower edge portion of at least one of the sides of each compartment adjacent said partition to bear against the inner surface of the respective lbottom portions, a locking tab carried at an end portion or each or said panels of said partition to bear against the inner surface of one of said side members and adapted to overlie said flap to cooperate therewith in holding said partition and said bottom in fixed position relative to said side members.

8. A container having at least six sides fastened end to end to form a tube having polygonal cross section, a partition extending between opposite angles of said polygonal tube dividing said tube into two portions, a cover member and a bottom member for each portion to cooperate with said side members and said partition to form two compartments, said partition comprising at least two panel elements laid in adjacent back-to-back relationship and being substantially the height of said sides, said cover member and said bottom member of each compartment being flexibly carried at the upper and lower edge portions respectively of the panel elements adjacent the respective compartment, one edge of the bottom member of each also being attached to a bottom edge of a side of the respective compartment which bottom edge is sub stantially parallel with said partition so that opposite edges of the bottom member of each compartment are respectively carried by a panel of said partition and by a side member, a cover tab attached to the side edges of said cover and adapted to bear against one of said sides, a looking flap attached to an upper edge of an adjacent side and having an edge Iorming an obtuse angle with a side and forming a V-shaped groove to receive said cover tab.

9. A container comprising at least four relatively fiat side members fastened together in polygonal shape, top members and bottom members to cooperate with said side members, a partition dividing the column enclosed by said side members into two compartments each defined by said side members and one of said top and bottom members, said partition comprising two separate panel elements, arranged back to back, each panel having a height of about the height of the side walls and extending between opposite angles formed by said side members, an edge portion of the cover member and an edge portion of the bottom member of each compartment being attached to the top and bottom edges respectively of the panel elements of said partition which forms a wall of the respective compartment, said bottom member of each compartment 

